Oxygen Icon Style Guide

The Oxygen Icon Style is currently a work in progress: This is the newest version, but several sections need expanding.

Oxygen's Approach to Icon Sizes

Oxygen icons are all scalable vector graphics (SVG) documents, which is the default format used by Inkscape. These SVG files are used to render bitmap images (PNG) at various sizes.

Oxygen uses the 128x128 'pixel' SVG files to produce icons at 5 different sizes: 128x128, 64x64, 48x48, 32x32 and 16x16 pixel images. 88x88 'pixel' SVG files are used to render at 22x22 pixels. Optionally, 16x16 pixel icons can be created in a 64x64 'pixel' SVG file.

For icons that are designed to be rendered at 32x32, 22x22 and 16x16 it is crucial that icons elements align to pixel boundaries of the rendered icon to improve legibility. After rendering to 22x22 and 16x16, icons will probably need some hand optimization using the GIMP. There is little point in making a 22x22 and 16x16 PNG icon if all that was done was to export a PNG from the 128 pixel SVG.

Various templates are provided to assist you in creating Oxygen icons. They are linked to below.

Note

Only action icons require the shadow at the bottom of the icon. For all other types you may remove this shadow.

Metaphors/Styles for different icon types

Actions

Action icons require a distinctive 1 pixel solid outline. Action icons are drawn to appear as they are on a shelf. This means that a small shadow is drawn directly beneath the icon.

The templates linked above include this shadow, therefore consistancy is ensured.

Applications

Application icons vary the most in style from cartoonish logos to photo-realistic (example and explanation needed)

Mimetypes

Mimetypes all use the same paper sheet template (example and explanation needed)

Devices

Devices are the most realistic of all icons (example and explanation needed)

Places

Places icons vary in style depending on whether the subject at hand can be defined by a physical object.

Emblems

Emblems are icons overlaid on top of other icons. Examples of Emblems are the "'link arrow' and the 'mounted star' symbol. These icons should be noticeable but not detract and cover too much of the icon beneath them.

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The mounted emblem uses the vibrant colours from the Oxygen palette. The form of the icon itself is very simple and clear.